Folding Boat

ABSTRACT

The Folding Boat is made from three interlocking sections that can be folded into a barrel shape. The user can roll the folded boat hull in order to transport it between uses. The three hull sections nest together within the barrel shape when the boat is collapsed, but are positionable to form a boat hull when unfolded. In order to provide additional stability, the boat may have outrigger assemblies that also fold into the hull sections when the boat is collapsed. A sailboat version of the folding boat is also available.

This application is filed within one year of, and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/273,329, filed Aug. 3, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to portable watercraft and, more specifically, to a Folding Boat.

2. Description of Related Art

Collapsible boats have evolved over the years with a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations, but all have purported to provide at least one benefit over a conventionally-design boat—that they are more readily portable than conventional boats. Examples of prior collapsible boats described in U.S. Patents include: Barton, Steenson, Rolfe, Kutsi, Clemmer and Rush.

F. D. Barton, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 2,365,446 discloses a “Watercraft” folds into a barrel-shaped capsule, but does not include a shaped bow or stabilizing outriggers. Steensen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,834 for “Folding Boat” that has a dinghy-shaped hull that can be folded backwards on itself to form a squarish capsule shape. Rolfe, U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,743 discusses “Foldable Boats” that are similar to the Steensen design, but having a built-in trailer. E. A. Kutsi, U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,234 for “Folding Boat” also discloses a boat design similar to Steensen. J. N. Clemmer, U.S. Pat. No. 1,462,800 for “Foldable Boat” depicts and describes a boat having its hull made up of three hinged sections that can be folded to nest within each other to form a squarish capsule shape (similar to Steensen). Finally, P. J. Rush, U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,024 for “Mobile Segmented Cylindrical Pontoon Structure” is a series of inter-hinged pontoon segments that lay flat to form a raft, or can be rolled up into a cylinder shape for rolling transport.

None of these prior collapsible boat designs provide a boat that is portable when collapsed (without a trailer), while also offering an acceptably seaworthy boat when assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Folding Boat. The boat should be made from three interlocking sections that can be folded into a barrel shape. The user should be able to roll the folded boat hull in order to transport it between uses. The three hull sections should nest together within the barrel shape when the boat is collapsed, but should be positionable to form a boat hull when unfolded. In order to provide additional stability, the boat should have outrigger assemblies that also fold into the hull sections when the boat is collapsed. A sailboat version of the folding boat should also be available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the boat of the present invention folded for rolling;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boat of FIG. 1 in a partially unfolded state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the boat of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the hull has been more extensively unfolded;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boat of FIGS. 1-3, wherein the hull has been fully unfolded;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the boat of FIGS. 1-4 with its outriggers extended; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a sailable version of the boat of FIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Folding Boat.

The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the boat 8 of the present invention folded for rolling. When collapsed into its folded condition as shown, the boat 8 forms a cylindrical capsule that is very suitable for rolling for transport.

In order to easily roll the boat 8 when it is folded/collapsed, a harness frame 6 may be provided. The harness frame 6 preferably comprises a pair of elongate arms 10 terminating at their distal ends in handles 14 suitable for grasping by the user. At the proximal ends, the arms 10 will attach at the end walls 42 of the boat 8 about the central axis 12 in a way that allows the boat 8 to roll when pulled upon by the frame 6. The frame 6 may be attached to bolts or other element in order to facilitate the rolling, and then be detachable prior to unfolding/assembling the boat 8.

When folded as shown here, the boat 8 will fit inside most automobiles, while also containing (within the barrel shape) most or all of the elements required to assemble the boat 8. The condensed size will permit the boat 8 to be rolled through areas having tight clearances, and on surfaces where trailers or dollies are either prohibited or non-feasible. No human carrying or mechanical trailering is required. FIG. 2 introduces other elements making up this novel assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the boat 8 of FIG. 1 in a partially unfolded state. There are three main elements that make up the boat 8: the aft hull section 16, the center hull section 18, and the bow hull section 20. All tree sections (16, 18 and 20) are preferably made from durable plastic material in a manner that allows them to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The aft hull section 16 and center hull section 18 are essentially the same basic element, which are formed with curved outer walls 17 and flat end walls 42. The sections 16 and 18 are attached to one another in a way that allows them to be easily folded and unfolded; in the depicted version, a pair of hinges 22 are used, however, other manners and mechanisms could be employed. It should be casually apparent that the sections 16 and 18 also form the outer shell of the barrel shape (see FIG. 1) when the boat 8 is fully folded/collapsed.

The bow hull section 20 pivotally attaches to the center hull section 18 by a pair of guide hinges 24. The guide hinges 24 allow for the rotation/pivoting of the bow hull section 20 (relative to the center hull section 18), while also allowing it to travel through an arcuate path. This insures that the inner end (i.e. the end adjacent to the end wall 42 when the bow hull section 20 is unfolded) clears the end wall 42, and further so that the bow hull section 18 fits all the way into the interior of the center hull section 18 when the boat 8 is fully folded up. Although not depicted in this view, it is expected that the inner end of the bow hull section 30 will also have an end wall in order to prevent water leakage and to maintain the rigidity and shape of the bow hull section 20 when it is under load. FIG. 3 expands upon the disclosure of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the boat 8 of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the hull has been more extensively unfolded. Here, the boat 8 rests on the outer surface of the center hull section 18, while the bow hull section 20 and the aft hull section 16 are lowered downward. The operator quickly performs this act by hand, with the aft hull section 16 rotating around the hinges 22 until fully extended, and the bow hull section 20 pivots and transits along the path defined by the guide hinge 24 until it is fully extended as is depicted below in FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the boat 8 of FIGS. 1-3, wherein the hull 4 has been fully unfolded. As discussed previously, the hull 4 is made up of three main sections—the aft hull section 16, the center hull section 18, and the bow hull section 20. The center and aft hull sections (18 and 16) are essentially the same as one another (such that they will form a barrel shape when folded together.

Once fully unfolded, the three sections 16, 18, 20 of the hull 4 could be latched or hooked together so that the sections 16, 18, 20, will not accidentally fold up by itself. Alternatively, a plurality of fasteners (e.g. bolts, pins, etc.) could be fastened through apertures formed in the end walls 42. Still further, the same structural stiffening result could be accomplished by a belt or strap or the like extending between the bow section 20 and the aft section 16, outside the outer surface of the hull 4, to keep the sections 18 and 20 pulled downwardly (i.e. forced downward in this view, opposing the hinges (22, 24). A zipper or belt could also be used.

A pair of outrigger assemblies 32 may be housed within the center section 18. Each outrigger assembly 32 comprises an outrigger float 36, which is attached to the center section 18 by a pair of struts 35. The struts 35 are preferably curved such that they will form to the interior wall of the center hull section 18 (when folded). Each strut 35 is attached to the center hull section 18 by hinges 34 (or pins, bolts or the like). If hinged, the hinges 34 will allow the outriggers 32 to fold out (see FIG. 5) and fold back in to nest within the center hull section 18. Once fully extended as shown in FIG. 5, the struts 35 are locked in position by a suitable mechanism (e.g. pins, bolts, locking tab, etc.) in order to provide the hull 4 with greatly improved stability to resist capsizing.

Once fully unfolded as shown in FIG. 5, the boat 8 is ready for use. A person using the boat 8 could sit in either the center hull section 18, or the aft hull section 16. In some versions, portions of the interior walls 42 could be cut out in order to provide more room inside the boat's hull 4 for the user. An alternate optional version of the boat is depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a sailable version of the boat 8 of FIGS. 1-5. A mast 50 and boom 52 and sail 48 have been added to the boat 8 previously discussed. Although not depicted, it is understood that some socket or other apparatus would be added to one of the hull sections in order to provide for a firm attachment point for the bottom end of the mast 50. This could be an upright sleeve sized to accept the end of the mast 50 therein, or it could be a plurality of brackets or other hardware.

A rudder 44, operable by a tiller 46 is hingably attachable to the aft-most wall 42, to allow the user to steer the boat 8. These elements would be size such that they could be detached and would fit within the folded boat (i.e. the barrel shown in FIG. 1) when the boat 8 is not in use. The mast 50, boom 52, sail 48 and associated lines and tackle could also be housed within the barrel for storage. While a Lateen rig is shown here, it is understood that other rigs may be found to be suitable, for example a small sloop rig.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A boat, comprising: a first hull section comprising an arcuate wall terminating in end walls; a second hull section comprising an arcuate wall terminating in end walls, said second hull section hingably attached to said first hull section at a first end; and a third hull section defined by an arcuate wall terminating at one end in an end wall and in an opposing end in a bow tip, said third hull section hingably attached adjacent to a second end of said second hull section.
 2. The boat of claim 1, wherein said first and second hull sections are relatively positionable to form a generally hollow cylindrical shape.
 3. The boat of claim 2, wherein said third hull is hingably positionable to be housed within said cylindrical shape.
 4. The boat of claim 3, wherein said second hull section is further defined by at least one floatation member extendable therefrom.
 5. The boat of claim 4, wherein said first, second and third hull sections are positionable to form an elongate boat shape having a transom formed by an end wall at said second end of said first hull section and a bow formed by said bow tip of said third hull section.
 6. The boat of claim 5, further comprising an external strap member interconnecting said third hull section and said first hull section in order to maintain said boat in said elongate boat shape.
 7. The boat of claim 2, wherein said cylindrical shape is defined by a central axis passing therethrough, and said boat further comprises a harness frame attachable to said cylindrical shape at said central axis to pivotally engage thereto.
 8. A boat having a folding hull, comprising: first and second hull sections hingably interconnected to form a generally cylindrical shape when placed in a collapsed position, said interconnection being at an interior end of said first hull section and a first end of said second hull section; and a bow hull section hingably attached to a second end of said second hull section.
 9. The boat of claim 8, wherein said first, second and bow hull sections are positionable to form an elongate boat shape having a transom formed by an end wall at said second end of said first hull section and a bow formed by said bow tip of said third hull section.
 10. The boat of claim 9, further comprising an external strap member interconnecting said bow hull section and said first hull section in order to maintain said boat in said elongate boat shape.
 11. The boat of claim 10, wherein said second hull section is further defined by at least one floatation member extendable therefrom.
 12. The boat of claim 11, defined by a pair of said floatation members attached to said second hull section by struts, said struts permitting said floatation members to be folded into an interior volume defined by said second hull section.
 13. The boat of claim 12, wherein said first and second hull sections are relatively positionable to form a generally hollow cylindrical shape.
 14. The boat of claim 13, wherein said bow hull is hingably positionable to be housed within said cylindrical shape.
 15. The boat of claim 14, wherein said cylindrical shape is defined by a central axis passing therethrough, and said boat further comprises a harness frame attachable to said cylindrical shape at said central axis to pivotally engage thereto.
 16. A boat, comprising: a first hull section comprising an arcuate wall terminating in end walls; a second hull section comprising an arcuate wall terminating in end walls, said second hull section attachable to said first hull section adjacent to a second end wall of said first hull section and a first end wall of said second hull section; and a third hull section defined by an arcuate wall terminating at one end in an end wall and in an opposing end in a bow tip, said third hull section attachable adjacent to a second end of said second hull section.
 17. The boat of claim 16, wherein said first, second and third hull sections are positionable to form an elongate boat shape having a transom formed by an end wall at said second end of said first hull section and a bow formed by said bow tip of said third hull section.
 18. The boat of claim 17, wherein said first and second hull sections are relatively positionable to form a generally hollow cylindrical shape.
 19. The boat of claim 18, wherein said third hull is hingably positionable to be housed within said cylindrical shape.
 20. The boat of claim 19, wherein said cylindrical shape is defined by a central axis passing therethrough, and said boat further comprises a harness frame attachable to said cylindrical shape at said central axis to pivotally engage thereto. 